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Only items marked with (*) are averaged
into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

*Temperament

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Scholarship

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Industriousness

(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)

*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation

(1=Awful,10=Excellent)

*Punctuality

(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)

*General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

*General Ability as a Trial Judge

(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)

Flexibility In Scheduling

(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation

(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

General Inclination Regarding Bail

(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)

Involvement in Plea Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage

(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation

(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)

Involvement in Settlement Discussions

(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)

General Inclination

(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

What others have said about
Hon. Gerald S. Held

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY1785
Rating:2.4
Comments:
How he escaped the Schneider Kleinick years is anyone's guess. Remember the TAP 2 calendar? He can be nasty, just wants to settle cases. Occassionally will turn on a plaintiff's counsel who doesn't get the game. Watched him drool all over an attractive female plaintiff once, was pathetic. Bad guy, bad judge. Come to court with your checkbook.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY1661
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The "Schneider, Kleinick" part. Even though everyone knew he was steered cases involving that firm nothing ever stuck. As a defendant you knew you were done the minute you pulled his name. Took over openings and examination of witnesses. And mean to boot.

Other

Comment #: NY1545
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge Held was the most proficient, competent and hard-working trial judge that ever sat on the bench during his 35+ years of service. He disposed of more cases per year than the aggregate number handled by several judges combined! If every judge moved his docket as Judge Held did, there would never be a backlogged case load. Be prepared and don't be late -- the simple rules of his courtroom -- watch words that others should live by, both judges and lawyers.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY809
Rating:2.0
Comments:
I have never walked out of Judge Held's part without feeling cheated. Usually I have watched the people on the calendar in front of me getting cheated too, so I know it is nothing personal. Probably the worst judge, all-around, I have ever appeared before. I've never been able to tell if he is just mean, or actually crooked - he is in Brooklyn, so it could be either, or both.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY534
Rating:4.7
Comments:
This is one of the nastiest judges that I've encountered. He's mean to both lawyers and jurors. I once saw him scold an elderly juror to the point of embarrassment who came to jury selection wearing bermuda shorts in the middle of a heat wave in August in a stifling courtroom. And what a hack! How the Feds were never able to put together a case against him is beyond me. The shenanigans that went on in his part were preposterous.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY518
Rating:7.9
Comments:
If you are not on time for the 9:30 calendar call, prepare for a lashing. Also, don't even think of trying to adjourn your case - it does not matter if your adversary is actually dying. With that said, this is a fair judge who will listen to both sides, although his mind is already made up. Reads all documents and is familiar with most aspects of the law.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY476
Rating:9.0
Comments:
Very experienced trial judge. Do not try to sell him nonsense - he has seen it all. His settlement numbers are fair and he knows how to conduct a trial. Annoy him and he will bury you.